2026 US Figure Skating Pairs SP "Choke and Stagger"

[Private Citizen]

Chan and Howe are still less than eight points out of an Olympic spot. It seems like their heart is not in it any more, and I'm not expecting a miraculous clean free skate. That said, it's theoretically possible for them to close the gap if they pull a rabbit out of their hat. I would expect them to close the gap with Plazas and Fernandez. IIRC this is the first difficult SBS jump Plazas has ever landed, so I wouldn't expect lighting to strike twice. P&F are usually good for 2-3 big errors. Shin and Nagy have also been wildly inconsistent. A missed lift plus one other mistake from S&N, for instance, could easily see Chan and Howe pull up to Olympic berth position, assuming Efimova does not citizenship in time.

 

[sk8nlizard]

Although they were clean, their presentation isn't really outstanding. S/N got a better reception here from the audience.

I know many here are P/F fans but their skating skills leave a lot to be desired. I do really enjoy their lifts and they had then skate of their lives tonight. Every time I watch them, I remember the Nationals (I can’t remember which one) where he was throwing her into a loop and slipped and they both fell on the take off

 

[MacMadame]

So, here's the thing - there's two ways she can have her citizenship expedited per the SCoB web page about Alisa's citizenship quest. First would be a private Member's bill through Congress that Trump signs - that seems highly unlikely. Second would be if Trump issued an EO authorizing CIS to waive the remainder of waiting period since she's had her green card for about 18 months already. Apparently, this can be done, but I'm not sure whether or not it would hold up in court should some other affected party sue & force a court to issue an injunction on the EO. Either way, I can't see it happening in the next two days, but maybe something will shake loose tomorrow or Friday after the SP results today.

It would have to happen before USFS announces the team.

Well, I suppose they could name ElMi to the team pending a passport, but I can't see them doing that.

someone drive to my house and find it

And then come to my house!

 

[Karen-W]

Chan and Howe are still less than eight points out of an Olympic spot. It seems like their heart is not in it any more, and I'm not expecting a miraculous clean free skate. That said, it's theoretically possible for them to close the gap. I would expect them to close the gap with Plazas and Fernandez. IIRC this is the first difficult SBS jump Plazas has ever landed, so I wouldn't except lighting to strike twice. P&F are usually good for 2-3 big errors. Shin and Nagy have also been wildly inconsistent. A missed lift plus one other mistake from S&N, for instance, could easily see Chan and Howe pull up to Olympic berth position, assuming Efimova does not citizenship in time.

Stop giving me hope here...

 

[Karen-W]

It would have to happen before USFS announces the team.

Well, I suppose they could name ElMi to the team pending a passport, but I can't see them doing that.

Per the USFS/USOPC Selection document, she has to have her passport by the date the team is named, which is January 11th. Seeing that CIS is NOT open on Saturdays or Sundays, realistically, Alisa has to get her passport in the next two days - before she & Misha skate in the FS on Friday evening.

 

[MacMadame]

Per the USFS/USOPC Selection document, she has to have her passport by the date the team is named, which is January 11th. Seeing that CIS is NOT open on Saturdays or Sundays, realistically, Alisa has to get her passport in the next two days - before she & Misha skate in the FS on Friday evening.

Yeah, I agree. I don't see it happening and I think NBC is on drugs when it comes to this.

 

[PRlady]

I just can’t see this administration rushing to give citizenship to a European taking away an American’s spot.

Let’s all plan to enjoy EfiMit at Worlds where they might easily medal.

 

[Karen-W]

I just can’t see this administration rushing to give citizenship to a European taking away an American’s spot.

Let’s all plan to enjoy EfiMit at Worlds where they might easily medal.

I can't either - though at least she's Finnish rather than French (in Trump's view, at least Finland pulls their weight in NATO, lol).

I just don't see anything in the works that can make this happen and even if something were to shake out in the next 2 days, unless it's a Congressional private bill that Trump signs, I'd expect a waiver from CIS to cause a lawsuit by whichever team does get screwed out of an Olympic berth.

 

[susieB129]

NBC needlessly ramping up and milking drama? I am SHOCKED! SHOCKED, i say!

 

[Braulio]

USA Network with a volleyball game that went to a fifth set so no pairs sp coverage until it finishes and we don't know if even there will be enough time to show something, at least Efimova/Mitrofanov during a zamboni break

 

[Sally1214]

USA Network with a volleyball game that went to a fifth set so no pairs sp coverage until it finishes

And how disappointing is THAT!!! ARGHH!

 

[~tapdancer~]

USA Network with a volleyball game that went to a fifth set so no pairs sp coverage until it finishes

What does that have to do with Peacock?

 

[Karen-W]

USA Network with a volleyball game that went to a fifth set so no pairs sp coverage until it finishes

As if anyone in the world cares about women's volleyball in freakin' January. What a joke.

 

[Jammers]

Why is there no thread for the ladies yet?

 

[Badams]

My Peacock keeps telling me it's starting shortly, while also telling me it started 13 minutes ago.

 

[Karen-W]

Wedgie finally updated. Pairs SP results -
Pl. Name Club TSS= TES+ PCS+ CO PR SK Ded.- StN.
1 Alisa Efimova / Misha Mitrofanov SC of Boston/SC of Boston 75.31 41.58 33.73 8.50 8.43 8.43 0.00 #9
2 Audrey Shin / Balazs Nagy SC of New York/SC of New York 67.67 36.99 30.68 7.71 7.82 7.54 0.00 #4
3 Ellie Kam / Danny O'Shea Thunderbirds FSC/SC of New York 67.13 36.12 32.01 8.29 7.71 8.07 1.00 #10
4 Valentina Plazas / Maximiliano Fernandez SC of New York/SC of New York 67.03 37.91 29.12 7.39 7.36 7.14 0.00 #6
5 Katie McBeath / Daniil Parkman Winterhurst FSC/SC of New York 66.81 36.78 30.03 7.61 7.43 7.54 0.00 #7
6 Olivia Flores / Luke Wang Thunderbirds FSC/Los Angeles FSC 63.58 35.57 28.01 6.96 7.21 6.89 0.00 #5
7 Chelsea Liu / Ryan Bedard Glacier Falls FSC/Wagon Wheel FSC 62.34 35.27 27.07 6.86 6.71 6.79 0.00 #2
8 Emily Chan / Spencer Akira Howe SC of Boston/SC of Boston 59.29 32.83 29.46 7.54 7.07 7.54 3.00 #8
9 Naomi Williams / Lachlan Lewer SC of Boston/Broadmoor SC 55.09 30.97 25.12 6.39 6.43 6.07 1.00 #3
10 Linzy Fitzpatrick / Keyton Bearinger SC of New York/SC of New York 54.56 30.41 24.15 6.11 6.11 5.93 0.00 #1

Judges Protocols - https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/lea...------QUAL000100--_JudgesDetailsperSkater.pdf

 

[once_upon]

As if anyone in the world cares about women's volleyball in freakin' January. What a joke.

Uhhh

 

[Braulio]

What does that have to do with Peacock?

I didn't mention Peacock coverage that already took place, I refer to the supposed USA network broadcast of at least top pairs short programs that now with the Volleyball running over seems wont happen or at least not more than the short program of the leaders

 

[Karen-W]

My Peacock keeps telling me it's starting shortly, while also telling me it started 13 minutes ago.

The Women's SP doesn't actually start for another 13 minutes - 5:27pm PT and USA is currently showing a dumb volleyball match, so who knows when Peacock will go live with the Women's SP stream. Hopefully in another 10-12 minutes.

 

[Sarah]

My Peacock keeps telling me it's starting shortly, while also telling me it started 13 minutes ago.

I suspect it should have started when USA started at 8 but since that was delayed, the feed is delayed too…

 

[Carolla5501]

Per the USFS/USOPC Selection document, she has to have her passport by the date the team is named, which is January 11th. Seeing that CIS is NOT open on Saturdays or Sundays, realistically, Alisa has to get her passport in the next two days - before she & Misha skate in the FS on Friday evening.

Unfortunately, I think the only Europeans this administration might be willing to give citizenship to are women who have married the president

I don’t think we’re going to get that exemption

I just can’t see this administration rushing to give citizenship to a European taking away an American’s spot.

Let’s all plan to enjoy EfiMit at Worlds where they might easily medal.

 

[Sally1214]

USA Network with a volleyball game that went to a fifth set so no pairs sp coverage until it finishes and we don't know if even there will be enough time to show something, at least Efimova/Mitrofanov during a zamboni break

So ... how long is a "set" in volleyball? I hate it when a sport like basketball or volleyball (or goodness knows what else) precedes a skating event. The skating ALWAYS gets dumped.

 

[my little pony]

im watching the natl anthem on I think they call it the 360 cam or something

 

[Karen-W]

Unfortunately, I think the only Europeans this administration might be willing to give citizenship to are women who have married the president

Frankly, I don't think the administration is interested in giving exemptions to any immigrants, regardless of where they're from, except maybe South Africa or Israel. It wouldn't matter if Alisa was Japanese or Australian or Turkish. The only thing that would have moved the needle on this, IMO, would have been a medal at Worlds last spring.

 

[Karen-W]

So ... how long is a "set" in volleyball? I hate it when a sport like basketball or volleyball (or goodness knows what else) precedes a skating event. The skating ALWAYS gets dumped.

IIRC, on the 5th match, they play to 15, so they're now at match point.

 

[Carolla5501]

Frankly, I don't think the administration is interested in giving exemptions to any immigrants, regardless of where they're from, except maybe South Africa or Israel. It wouldn't matter if Alisa was Japanese or Australian or Turkish. The only thing that would have moved the needle on this, IMO, would have been a medal at Worlds last spring.

He seems to have a soft spot for European women who are willing to put up with him in bed

 

[Braulio]

So ... how long is a "set" in volleyball? I hate it when a sport like basketball or volleyball (or goodness knows what else) precedes a skating event. The skating ALWAYS gets dumped.

a fifth set is up to 15 points whoever reach it first or winning by margin of two, but who knows a certain time, maybe 20-30 minutes

And it ends!!! 15-9 win

 

[Karen-W]

He seems to have a soft spot for European women who are willing to put up with him in bed

You know, Melania got her citizenship well before he ever thought about running for President, so let's just leave her out of the conversation.

 

[Cachoo]

I'm happy we are not back in the Wide World of Sport days when we saw a sliver of the season. But I do miss the crowds that attended in the 90's.

 

[Wyliefan]

He seems to have a soft spot for European women who are willing to put up with him in bed

I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy, let alone Alisa.